Debbie  Kaszynski grew up in Lake Nebagamon. She attended school in Lake Nebagamon, (my mother-in-law Imogene McGrath was her fifth grade teacher), and later attended Northwestern. Aspiring to get in the motion picture industry, she moved to New York and became a casting director. Developing quite a name for herself, she relocated to California where she continued her casting career.

She sent out a casting call for "Captain Phillips" in Minneapolis, and cast a then unknown Barkhad Abdi in the supporting role. Upon learning the film was up for a Golden Globe award, Barkhad asked her to be his guest at the event. When asked by a reporter why he selected her, he replied, "Because if it wasn't for her; this would have of never have happened." Although the film did not win the award, it is a great honor to be nominated. Look for great things to come from Debbie  Kaszynski Delisi in the future!

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